Soda causes leg cramps

July 23, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am not a scientist but I have conducted a scientific experiment. I hypothesized that sodas cause leg cramps after I found I was not having them for years when I gave up soda. Yesterday, I drank four large sodas and one diet soda. I awoke at 4 am with a leg cramp in my right quadriceps.

I have found only two things that will stop the leg cramps. One, pumping my foot and two, standing up and putting a bar of soap on my leg per your column. I don’t even put the soap on stop of the sheet, I just rub it on the spot and the cramp stops and doesn’t come back. Thanks for the soap tip, doctor!

I have a second theory I want to test, also. I don’t get cramps when I drink club soda, so I think there is something in the soda – Color? Sugar? Sweeteners? – that cause the cramping.
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RLS and leg cramps aren’t the same

April 23, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I just finished reading your article about RLS and at the end you mention leg cramps as they are the same as RLS. I am puzzled about this because I suffer from severe nighttime leg and foot cramps which haven’t been helped with soap-under-the-sheets. I never think of my cramps as RLS but as a separate condition. Is this correct or are they the same?

My doctor put me on a magnesium supplement which seems to have lessened the frequency but not the duration of the cramps. He did this after looking at my electrolytes.

I am 82 years young, get enough exercise, don’t smoke and drink one glass of wine a day. I am also on Losartin and HCTZ for a high blood pressure, simvastatin and thyroid medication as well as vitamins and calcium. [Read more…]

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Restless legs syndrome responds to calcium

September 20, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband and I are both in our late 40s. He has suffered from restless legs syndrome (RLS) for more than 20 years. He has taken different prescription medications that either have not worked or have left him groggy the next day.

A couple of months ago I had some mild heartburn and my legs had that creepy-crawly feeling, so I got up and took two Tums. Even though my heartburn did not completely go away, the sensation in my legs did. The next night my husband’s legs were bothering him, so I told him to take two Tums. For the past couple of months he has continued to take them every night. If he forgets and his legs start to bother him, he gets up, takes two, and within 30 minutes he is able to rest.
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Soap-under-the-sheets trick

September 11, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife and I used to use the smaller bars of soaps from motels for leg cramps in bed; however, when we turned over, the bars were no longer under our legs and we would sometimes get cramps. We solved this by grating the soap directly onto the lower portion of the mattress under the sheet. It seems to work no matter where we lie on the mattress.

DEAR READER: Thank you for sharing this helpful tip. I am passing it on to my readers in the hopes that it will help some of them as well.

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Back, hip alignment leads to cramps

September 2, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I experience cramping in the legs, thighs and toes, and even my feet turn to the side at times. I have found that when this happens, my lower back and hips are out of alignment. I visit my chiropractor and the cramping stops. I think this is worth a try for those who experience similar cramping rather than taking medication. You have listed other cramping remedies in your column, but none of them have worked for me. I hope my suggestion will help others as much as it has helped me.

DEAR READER: Cramping in the legs and feet can occur when one or more of the spinal vertebrae or discs push against the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. Pain, weakness, numbness and tingling are more common symptoms, however.
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Potassium to the rescue for cramping

August 12, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: A patient wrote to you complaining about constant cramping. I had a similar problem and tried many things for it. None of them worked as well as the following: Before going to bed at night, eat a banana and drink a glass of milk. Also take a glass of milk to bed to drink in case you get cramps. Try to eat another banana during the day.

This has helped me and others I’ve suggested it to, so please pass my suggestion along.

DEAR READER: Potassium is involved in muscle control, nerve function and controlling blood pressure. It also works with sodium to maintain water balance in our bodies. [Read more…]

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Pickles for cramps?

August 11, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In the past you suggested eating pickles or drinking pickle juice for muscle cramps. Why? I often crave pickles and will consume an entire jar in one sitting. I take a diuretic (HCTZ) that is not potassium sparing. Does this have anything to do with it?

DEAR READER: To the best of my knowledge, pickles do have a fair amount of potassium, particularly the dill variety. They are also a good source of vitamins A and K, calcium, iron and manganese. The downside is that they are very high in sodium, which can cause water retention and high blood pressure.
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Hand, leg cramps have many causes

May 11, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 78-year-old male with a problem I hope you can assist with. My hands and legs cramp. None of the doctors I’ve seen have any answers for me, so I hope you can help.

DEAR READER: Feet and hands can cramp for a number of reasons. You may have reduced levels of specific nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium or vitamin D in your body. You may be dehydrated from working or exercising excessively without remembering to keep your fluid levels up. Then, you may have known (or unknown) kidney failure, hypothyroid, Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. Some medications can include cramping as an unwanted side effect.

I recommend that you speak with your physician who can order some simple laboratory testing, review your medications, and get you back on track.

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Medication may be cause of cramps

December 10, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: On an almost daily basis, I have muscle cramps in my hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes. They occur during the day and night.

I take 25 milligrams of HydroDiuril and two 595-milligram doses of over-the-counter potassium gluconate. I drink several glasses of water a day plus water with my meals. Is there anything else that I can do to relieve these cramps?

DEAR READER: HydroDiuril is simply hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a common medication used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It can cause muscle and joint pain and a reduction of potassium, which can cause cramping, but you are on supplements to avoid the common side effects. [Read more…]

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Touting the virtues of vitamin E

October 14, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Many years ago, I suffered from frequent cramps in my legs and toes, mostly at night. At the suggestion of an older relative, I took a vitamin E capsule, which she said would relieve the pain. Much to my surprise, the pain was gone about five minutes after taking it.

Twelve years ago, I had radial-nerve surgery, which was successful. I was able to use my arm and hand without any problems. However, if I engaged in an activity such as playing cards or knitting, where my hand was in the same position for any length of time, my hand cramped up and was painful. I tried the vitamin E capsule (400 IU) twice a day and very rarely have cramping anywhere in my body. If I do have a problem, I take an extra capsule immediately with the same result.
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